Construct, left, another for in-form John McConnell© Photo Healy Racing
Construct opened up a path to Galway with a victory on his hurdling debut in the extended two and a quarter mile maiden hurdle in Downpatrick.
The four-year-old gelding had won twice on the Flat and went off 11/4 joint favourite for this assignment.
He made all under Donie McInerney and crossed the line three and a half lengths to the good. Steel Cap who had been backed from 25/1 in the morning, kept on for second at 8/1. He was 11 lengths ahead of the other joint favourite Guttural
Trainer John McConnell said: "He was good to go out first time out and make it, it takes a fair horse to do it. He was a little bit novicey, but he has that class that he could be a bit novicey and still beat that field.
"It might not have been the best maiden hurdle ever run, but you would think there's a lot of improvement and better days for him. He's a fine, big horse and he probably hasn't even come to himself yet. I looked at him today and thought he's only fit now.
"We won't over-race him, he likes that ground so we will keep him going for the next couple of months and then give him a break. He might end up in Galway on the Monday.
"It will be baby steps with him because he is a baby. Even when he came into the ring he was green as grass with the big crowd. He was good out there and I was delighted with that.
"We bought him last October in the Horses In Training Sale and we schooled him a good bit - we had Triumph Hurdle aspirations and he even got an entry in it, but we just said we would leave him a novice until next year.
"He schooled around the Curragh with Hannon and Pearl Of The West a couple of times and then we schooled him a good bit for the EasyFix hurdles because they are a different kettle of fish.
"We knew he jumped well enough and I was hoping his Flat rating would translate because I think his Flat rating is a fair reflection and he could even be better than his Flat rating."
